A somber atmosphere has gripped Musvuti Village under Chief Marambo in Charandura, Midlands Province, after a heartbreaking discovery left the community reeling in grief and confusion. Toddler was found dead in a gully near his family’s homestead, and his father has since gone missing — prompting a full-scale manhunt and a police investigation.
Midlands Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the disturbing incident, which occurred during the night of June 17, 2025. What began as a quiet evening in the rural community quickly turned into a tragedy that has left more questions than answers.
According to the official police report, Tatenda — the toddler’s father — was last seen at his home that evening with his son, Tanatswa. The next morning, Tatenda’s wife awoke to an eerie silence. Both her husband and the toddler were nowhere to be found.
Alarmed, she alerted relatives and neighbors, and a frantic search was launched. Villagers combed nearby bushland, footpaths, and streams in the hopes of finding the pair safe and alive. But the search took a dark turn when Tanatswa’s lifeless body was discovered in a gully just a short distance from their homestead.
Tragedy in Charandura: Toddler Found Dead in Gully, Father Missing
Shock and horror swept through the village as the heartbreaking news spread. Tatenda, however, was still missing — and suspicion quickly fell on him as police began treating the case as a potential child murder.
Inspector Mahoko said investigations are underway, and law enforcement officers are treating Tatenda as the prime suspect in what appears to be the murder of his own son.
“The toddler was found dead under suspicious circumstances, and we are treating the father’s disappearance as highly suspicious,” Mahoko said. “We have since launched a manhunt for Tatenda, who is believed to be on the run. We are appealing to members of the public with any information that could help locate him to come forward.”
The exact cause of Tanatswa’s death has not yet been confirmed, but authorities suspect foul play. His body has been taken to a local mortuary where a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death.
As the investigation continues, the village remains in a state of shock. Many residents described the father as quiet but unpredictable, while others expressed disbelief that he could be responsible for such a brutal act.
“This is a tragedy beyond comprehension,” said one elder in the community. “The death of a child in such circumstances is devastating enough, but the disappearance of the father raises even more troubling concerns. We are all deeply shaken.”
Family members are now left to grieve while also grappling with the unknown. Toddler’s mother, who is said to be inconsolable, has called on the authorities to do everything possible to bring Tatenda to justice if he is found responsible.
Community leaders and local police have also urged people to remain vigilant and to report any sightings of Tatenda immediately. Flyers with his description are being distributed across nearby villages and shopping centers, while police dogs and trackers have been dispatched to aid the search.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that Tatenda may still be in hiding somewhere in the surrounding area,” said Inspector Mahoko. “We urge the public to treat him as a person of interest and to exercise caution.”
Meanwhile, child welfare organizations have expressed concern over the incident, calling for stronger interventions in domestic violence and mental health awareness in rural communities. The case, they argue, highlights the need for early support systems and protective services to prevent such tragedies.
As Musvuti Village mourns the loss of young toddler, the nation watches closely, hoping that justice will be served and that answers will soon emerge in this deeply troubling case.
